The Tennessee Titans are zeroing in on a playoff berth, as they are sitting at 8-4 on the season despite a negative point-differential. While this may not be an elite team, it has won enough close games to be sitting pretty in the AFC. The Titans can take a key step toward clinching a berth while also staying atop the AFC South with a road victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14 of the regular season.
The Cardinals have been hit hard by injuries this season and could be down to their backup quarterback and third-string running back. Arizona does have a good defense and is playing at home, so this could be a competitive matchup.
There is much more on the line for the Titans but they must prove they can go on the road and pick up this win.
This matchup in Week 14 of the regular season will take place on Sunday, December 10, 2017, at 4:05 p.m. ET at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tennessee Titans -3
Arizona Cardinals +3
Over/Under 44
Odds Analysis
The Titans are field goal favorites on the road but the betting public is going with the underdog, as the Cardinals are getting almost 70 percent of the action to cover this spread. The scoring total is a little higher than expected since the Cardinals have a second-string signal-caller in Blaine Gabbert and the Titans prefer to run the ball and keep the score low. Not surprisingly, the “under” is getting 85 percent of the action as that seems like the clear choice.
Injury Report
Adrian Peterson — The Cardinals’ starting running back missed last week’s game against the Rams with a neck injury and didn’t practice on Wednesday. His availability is once again in doubt. Kerwynn Williams is the backup, and he did a nice job in Peterson’s stead last week, running 16 times for 97 yards. Peterson is a little bit better but it wouldn’t make a huge difference in the spread if he doesn’t play.
Deone Bucannon - The Cardinals’ linebacker is dealing with an ankle sprain and is questionable to play in this game. He missed last week and has been bothered by injuries for much of the season. When healthy, Bucannon is a key player on defense. Keep an eye on his availability, although Josh Bynes has done a nice job filling in.
Rishard Matthews - The Tennessee wide receiver has a hamstring injury that is ailing him. However, Matthews has stated that he expects to play in Sunday’s contest. He has 41 catches for 626 yards and three touchdowns on the season. The Titans don’t throw the ball a ton, but Matthews is a key part of that attack.
Key Stat
Five. That’s how many games the Titans have won by one possession this season, which is how they are 8-4 despite a negative point-differential. The streak started in Week 3 against the Seahawks when they came away with a 23-17 win.
Tennessee’s next close win came over the Cleveland Browns by a score of 12-9, and the Titans have since added a three-point win over the Ravens, a a four-point win over the Bengals, and, last week a four-point win over the Colts.
The Titans have been blown out by the Texans and the Steelers this season and have a bad loss to the Dolphins, so it’s clear they aren’t truly among the upper echelon of teams in the AFC. However, Tennessee is on pace to make the postseason if they can finish the season well.
Free ATS Pick
The Titans aren’t that good of a team and have to play on the road, so there is room for concern. However, the Cardinals are relying on Gabbert, who has not found a lot of success in his career.
He will aim to have a good outing, like he has done twice in three starts, but the Tennessee defense should pose a decent challenge. Take the Titans to both win this game and cover the spread, while the “under” is the call on the total.
NFL Odds: Titans 24, Cardinals 17
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